Tempest Facts
What was Prospero's title before his position was usurped and he was forced to flee Italy?
Duke of Milan
Who helped Prospero and Miranda survive when they were put to sea in a small, leaky boat?
Gonzalo
Describe the sub-plot involving Ferdinand and Miranda.
They meet on the island, Ferdinand thinks his father is dead, Ferdinand must perform manual labor because Prospero thinks Ferdinand is a "spy" they both think the other is perfect, they agree to marry, they have a pagan ritual. Before they can sleep together they must get married in a Christian church.
He is the protagonist of the play.
Prospero
He believes the island rightfully belongs to him.
Caliban
Boatswain
Ship boy
thou art
you are
Who is the most moral person in the play and why?
Provide a justified opinion
How long have Prospero and Miranda been on their island?
Twelve years.
What does Propsero give as his reason for treating Caliban badly?
He tried to rape Miranda (threatened her "honor")
Describe the sub-plot with Trinculo, Caliban, and Stephano.
He helped Prospero and Miranda survive until reaching the island.
Gonzalo
He is the King of Naples.
Alonso
piteous
one to feel bad for
supplant
replace/ kick out
Is Prospero right to treat Caliban the way he does?
Provide justified answer.
What do we see Miranda and Ferdinand doing in the play's final scene?
Playing chess.
Where did Sycorax imprison Ariel?
In a tree trunk
Explain the sub-plot with Alonso, Gonzalo, Antonio, and Sebastian.
The four men get stranded on the island. Alonso thinks his son is dead, but they search for him on the island anyway. Antonio, Prospero's brother, suggests to Sebastian, Alonso's brother, that he kill the king of Naples so that he can become king. They are tormented by the magic on the island and are ultimately pardoned by Prospero.
Ariel
He is Prospero's brother.
Antonio
ague
fever/ illness
pinched
hurt/ injured
Why is it significant that the play begins with a storm at sea?
Provide justified answer.
What does Caliban say must be done before Prospero can be killed?
His books must be seized.
What task are both Caliban and Ferdinand forced to perform?
Carrying wood
Explain the main plot of Prospero and Miranda
Prospero used to be the Duke of Milan, his brother Antonio usurped him and Prospero escaped to the island. Using magic and the help of Ariel, Prospero causes the King of Naples' ship to wreck so he can exact his revenge. At the end, Prospero has a change of heart and pardons those who have done him wrong.
These two get drunk with Caliban and plot to kill Prospero.
Trinculo and Stephano
He, along with Antonio, plots to murder Alonso.
Sebastian
prithee
please
hence
for this reason or in the future
How do Ariel and Caliban come to serve Prospero?
Ariel - Freed from tree
Caliban - Adopted after the death of Sycorax
What does Caliban say is his "chief profit" from learning language?
He can curse.
What is the final task Prospero orders Ariel to perform?
To give Alonso's ship calm seas.
In what ways is Prospero "god-like"? In what ways is he not "god-like"?
Similar: Powers, decide fate
Different: Fallible, not all-powerful
Until the storm, this character has never seen anyone but Prospero and Caliban.
Miranda
This character is believed to have drowned in the shipwreck.
Ferdinand
Wherefore
why
hither
to or toward this place